Summary

This is an example of a writing assignment focussed on the use of data to understand the phenomena responsible for the Indian Monsoon. It includes a scoresheet that was created for a calibrated peer review assignment. However, it would be equally suitable as a teacher graded writing assignment. The assignment directs students to determine the relevant data and use it to construct a science argument. Learners access data from the Lamont Ingrid data library, capture images of the data plots, and incorporate them into their writing. The support materials provide specific instructions on how to construct a scientific argument using these data.

Learning Goals

1) develop an understanding of the atmospheric processes underlying the Indian Monsoon

2) learn to use data to make a scientific argument

Context for Use

This is a writing assignment that the student can do in a computer lab or her/his own computer. It is targeted at an introductory geology or oceanography course.

The following link will download a zip file containing the 3 calibration papers used in this writing assignment. The instructor will have to create the scores for each paper, unless the EarthEd Online writing system is used. Three calibration papers in web page format - zip file( 1.4MB May24 05)

I use EarthEdOnline to deliver this assignment. The following document describes EarthEd Online and results with the CPR assignment delivered to a general education oceanography class during the winter quarter of 2005.